15 Best Video Editing Software for Macs in 2023 [Inc. M1/M2]

Video editing has skyrocketed in popularity in recent years with the rise of video-based social media giants like YouTube and TikTok. Everyone wants to become an influencer and post the next viral video but that dream hinges on one key factor: having the right set of tools.

In this article, we review the 15 best video editing software for Mac. Because even though Windows PC has been the go-to device to edit videos for many years, Mac is now becoming the standard for creative professionals. And with more affordable models such as Macbook Air, iMac, and Mac Mini hitting the market, more students and enthusiasts have started embracing Mac computers.

Just got your new Mac and are ready to tackle that school project, TikTok, or YouTube Video? Continue reading to check out our choices for the best video editing software for Mac.

• Top 3 Video Editing Software for Mac Snapshot
• How to Choose the Best Video Editing Software for Mac
• 15 Best Video Editing Software for Macs in 2023 [Inc. M1/M2]
1. PowerDirector 365 - Best Overall
2. VideoPad - Best Export Options
3. WeVideo - Best for Video Tutorials
4. Final Cut Pro - Best for Apple Loyalists
5. Shotcut - Best Format Support
6. Movavi Video Editor - Best for Quick Edits
7. Apple iMovie - Best for Beginners on a Budget
8. Adobe Premiere Pro - Best for Professionals
9. HitFilm - Best for Visual Effects
10. Adobe Premiere Elements - Best for Beginners
11. Lightworks - Best for Intermediate Users
12. Kapwing - Best for Templates
13. DaVinci Resolve - Best for Color Correction and Audio
14. OpenShot - Best for Simple Edits
15. Avid Media Composer - Best for Filmmakers
• Best Video Editing Software for Mac Comparison Chart
• How to Edit a Video on Mac
• Download the Best Video Editing Software for Mac for Free
• Best Video Editing Software for Mac FAQ

Top 3 Video Editing Software for Mac Snapshot

How to Choose the Best Video Editing Software for Mac

We’ve compiled a list of what we think are the best video editing software for Mac users. They are not one-size-fits-all, however, so be sure to pick the best Mac video editor for your specific needs. Below we listed some things to look out for when making your choice:

Skill Level - Probably the most important part of choosing the best video editing software for Mac is finding something within your skill level. If you are a beginner and choose an expert-level Mac video editor, you could spend months just learning how to edit videos. We recommend getting beginner-friendly software that also has advanced tools. This allows you to dive in right away, but it will grow with you as your skills develop. Similarly, if you are an expert and choose a Mac video editor below your level, you will be frustrated at the lack of features and control over edits.

Budget - The options on our list of best video editing software for Mac range from free to quite expensive. Set a budget before you begin your search and stick with it. Almost every Mac video editor comes with a free trial so you can see if the product is worth the money before you buy.

Compatibility - Of course, we’ve only included software you can use for Mac video editing, but there’s a lot more to compatibility than just the OS. Always read the System Requirements of any video editing software for Mac before you download. Some require large amounts of disk space that you may not have. Others will only allow you to edit videos on newer computers. You should also check the format support to make sure the file types you commonly use for video and audio are supported.

15 Best Video Editing Software for Macs in 2023 [Inc. M1/M2]

1. PowerDirector 365 - Best Overall

Compatibility: Mac, Windows

PCMag Rating: 5/5

Beginner-Friendly Tools: 5/5

Price: Free
*Premium subscription available for $4.33/month

Key Features:

• Direct upload to YouTube and Facebook
• Simple & powerful plug-in for creating video collages
• Square and vertical aspect ratios for social media
• Wide format support

Who It’s For

PowerDirector is the best video editing software for Mac because it offers easy-to-navigate features for beginners, expert editors, and everyone in between. It includes AI-powered tools that allow you to edit videos quickly and easily by transforming your projects with the click of a button.

Why We Picked It 

A traditional timeline interface with a streamlined design makes adding video overlays, titles, and transitions easy with this video editing software for Mac. Drag-&-Drop effects and AI tools such as motion tracking, sky replacement, and object detection are great Mac video editing tools if you’re a beginner, but all these features are customizable, which also makes them ideal for experienced editors.

PowerDirector is also a fantastic choice for influencers to edit videos because it comes with pre-made templates for intros and outros, and millions of royalty-free stock assets, including music, videos, and beautiful images from Shutterstock and Getty Images.

Bottom Line

When compared to other Mac video editors on this list, PowerDirector 365 will give you the most bang for your buck. You’ll be able to jump right in with its easy-to-use interface and avoid spending hours learning to edit videos like some other less intuitive video editing software for Mac.

So download the best video editing software for Mac for free by clicking the link below and see why TechRadar called it, “Powerful and affordable.”

2. VideoPad - Best Export Options

Compatibility: Mac, Windows

Capterra Rating: 4.3/5

Beginner-Friendly Tools: 4/5

Price: Free
*Premium versions available for $70 for Home and $129 for Master’s

Key Features:

• Pure Digital audio tools
• Speed adjustment
• Chroma key green screen effects

Who It’s For

We think VideoPad deserves the title of best free video editing software for Mac because of its export options. Upload directly to YouTube in 480p to 4K, and complete all of your video’s metadata from the software. You can post directly to Facebook, Vimeo, Flickr, OneDrive, Dropbox, and Google Drive. You can also burn a DVD, watch it on TV, or share it on your smartphone.

Why We Picked It 

VideoPad is very beginner-friendly but also has some advanced tools, such as 360-degree editing, video stabilization, visual effects, and animated titles. We like the professionally-designed templates for intros, outros, and themed projects found in this video editing software for Mac. 

Bottom Line

VideoPad is a good Mac video editor for beginners who love to share their projects with friends, family, or followers. It has a free version that is available for non-commercial use, but it contains annoying ads. Of the beginner-friendly software for Mac video editing on our list, VideoPad offers fewer features than PowerDirector, but more than iMovie. 

3. WeVideo - Best for Video Tutorials

Compatibility: Web Browser

G2 Rating: 4.3/5

Beginner-Friendly Tools: 4/5

Price: Free
*Premium subscriptions available for $4.99/month for Power, $7.99/month for Unlimited, $19.99/month for Professional, and $36.99/month for Business

Key Features:

• Color grading
• Motion titles
• Green screen

Who It’s For

WeVideo is one of the best video editing software for Mac for creating tutorial videos. It has hundreds of pre-made templates in categories such as How-To: Recipe, Hairstyling, Online Classes, and many more. This Mac video editor also includes YouTube intros and outros, as well as a screen recorder for training videos and tech demos. Add animated titles and background music, and you have all you need to easily create a professional video tutorial - even if it’s your first time editing.

Why We Picked It 

WeVideo is filled with beginner-friendly Mac video editing tools such as drag-and-drop effects and transitions that are applied with one click, and a robust stock library with royalty-free videos, images, and music. There’s also an instant resize tool to cover all your social media needs with little effort. This video editing software for Mac also comes with all the usual tools to edit videos, like crop, trim, split, and merge.

Bottom Line

We found WeVideo to be one of the best video editing software for Macs found online, especially for beginners. However, gaining access to all the best tools and features is costly. For instance, the free version only allows 5 minutes of exported content a month with a max resolution of 480p, and the affordable Power version only allows 30 minutes of content per month with a max export limit of 720p. Unlimited access to stock assets and brand management are only available at the Professional tier. For beginners and YouTubers on a budget, we recommend PowerDirector. It comes with a lot more Mac video editing tools for a much lower cost.

4. Final Cut Pro - Best for Apple Loyalists

Compatibility: Mac

PCMag Rating: 4.5/5

Beginner-Friendly Tools: 3.5/5

Price: $299.99

Key Features:

• Magnetic timeline
• Media organization tools
• Color grading and motion graphics

Who It’s For

Final Cut Pro is the best video editing software for Mac if you are an advanced editor, loyal to all things Apple. This Mac video editor has a selection of smart features and a clean, intelligent interface that will enable you to create Hollywood-level videos from your desktop. Final Cut Pro also offers improved speed and performance with Apple Silicon. 

Why We Picked It 

Paying the one-time cost of $300 will give you access to all of its new Mac video editing features forever. These include the new Object Tracker, which utilizes machine learning to detect faces and objects, then matches movements with titles and effects. With this video editing software for Mac, you can also adjust focus from videos captured in Cinematic mode on an iPhone 13 - a unique feature only found in Apple-made video editors. 

Bottom Line

Final Cut Pro takes advantage of the new M1 chips and, for this reason, can be a better choice than Adobe Premiere Pro to edit videos on a new Mac (and while both products are for professionals, it is slightly easier to learn than Adobe). It moved up quite a bit on our updated list of the best video editing software for Mac (from #10 to #4). Apple is continually releasing new products, and while other Mac video editors can lag behind, Final Cut Pro is always optimized to offer the best performance. However, the high learning curve and price keep it out of the top 3.

5. Shotcut - Best Format Support

Compatibility: Mac, Windows, Linux

TechRadar Rating: 4/5

Beginner-Friendly Tools: 4/5

Price: Free

Key Features:

• 3-Point editing
• Notes panel
• Blending modes

Who It’s For

Shotcut is an open-source Mac video editor for intermediate to advanced users on a budget. It uses FFmpeg to support all the latest audio and video formats. This video editing software for Mac also supports all the popular image and animation formats. Shotcut offers a multi-format timeline for flexible Mac video editing. 

Why We Picked It 

This is also one of the best video editing software for Mac because of its excellent color adjustment tools and audio features. It has advanced tools for a free Mac video editor, such as 360-degree editing, video compositing, deinterlacing, and speed effects. Shotcut runs natively on newer Macs powered by Apple Silicon.

Bottom Line

Shotcut is similar to our number 1 choice for best video editing software for Mac, PowerDirector, because both are updated regularly. However, the interface is not as intuitive as PowerDirector and the software takes longer to learn. 

6. Movavi Video Editor - Best for Quick Edits

Compatibility: Mac, Windows

PCMag Rating: 4/5

Beginner-Friendly Tools: 4/5

Price: $74.95

Key Features:

• Slow down or reverse video
• Voice-Over
• Object animation

Who It’s For

Movavi Video Editor is one of the best video editing software for Mac for busy influencers in a hurry. This Mac video editor claims you can edit videos in only 20 minutes with its simple user interface and intuitive controls. If you have to crank out lots of content each week, Movavi’s pre-made templates and titles - plus one-click effects - will make your life easier.

Why We Picked It 

Movavi’s Mac video editing tools include video stabilization, chroma key, transitions, filters, and many more. Support for vertical video, thematic stickers, and ready-made intros also make this one of the best video editing software for Mac for social media.

Bottom Line

This Mac video editor is a quick way for content creators and beginners to edit videos for YouTube and TikTok. However, compared to the similarly-rated Mac video editor Shotcut, Movavi Video Editor lacks advanced tools. And although it allows you to edit videos in no time at all, it has very slow rendering times. 

7. Apple iMovie - Best for Beginners on a Budget

Compatibility: Mac

G2 Rating: 4.3/5

Beginner-Friendly Tools: 3.5/5

Price: Free

Key Features:

• Storyboard video templates
• Music automatically fits video length
• Supports and adjusts Cinematic Mode

Who It’s For

iMovie is a video editing program that comes pre-installed on Mac devices. We think it is the best video editing software for Mac for beginners on a budget. It is completely free for Mac video editing and features a range of tools beginners can use to edit videos that look polished. iMovie also stands out for including premium audio-editing options that you can’t find in a lot of other free Mac video editors.

Why We Picked It 

Basic Mac video editing is where iMovie excels. It has all the tools needed to edit video and audio. With this Mac video editor, you can instantly create Hollywood-style trailers and stunning videos. Add photos and videos to projects, trim clips, add seamless transitions, and fade audio.

Bottom Line

Advanced features are where iMovie falls short, and why this video editing software for Mac fell out of the top 5 on our updated list. Apple has reserved its truly impressive features for Final Cut Pro. We think PowerDirector is the perfect choice for iMovie users who want more out of a Mac video editor but aren’t ready to pay a premium for Final Cut.

8. Adobe Premiere Pro - Best for Professionals

Compatibility: Mac, Windows

PCMag Rating: 4.5/5

Beginner-Friendly Tools: 3/5

Price: $20.99/month

Key Features:

• Precise editing and trimming tools
• Automatic functionality
• Advanced editing features

Who It’s For

If professional Mac video editing is your thing, Adobe Premiere Pro is the tool you need to be using. This program is an industry standard, and professionals use it to edit videos for mainstream media. You’ll have everything you need to cut a TV Show or feature film with this Mac video editor.

Why We Picked It 

The range of features and professional-level quality make Premiere Pro one of the best video editing software for Mac. They also account for the hefty price tag. You can create an immersive video with support for VR 180 with effects. Plus, you have access to high-definition and 4K video assets in the program at an additional cost via Adobe Stock.

Bottom Line

If you are new to Mac video editing, Adobe Premiere Pro will be a bit out of your league. Getting started with this video editing software for Mac could take hours. A good compromise is PowerDirector, which offers tools for pro-level Mac video editing, but is easy enough for beginners. 

9. Hitfilm - Best for Visual Effects

Compatibility: Mac, Windows

TechRadar Rating: 4/5

Beginner-Friendly Tools: 3.5/5

Price: Free
*Premium subscriptions available for $7.50/month for Creator and $12.50/month for Pro

Key Features:

• Layers and masking
• Range of import formats
• 180+ editing effects

Who It’s For

Hitfilm is one of the best video editing software for Macs for intermediate editors who like to edit videos with lots of visual effects. It is the most accessible editor for creating 3D effects on the market. It is the only After Effects alternative that supports both Video Copilot and Red Giant plugins. If you are interested in becoming a visual effects artist and not ready to jump into Adobe After Effects, Hitfilm is a great option.

Why We Picked It 

This Mac video editor has all the basic tools to edit videos, plus compositing, tilting, and 3D tools. It includes 100s of professional presets and filters for easy color correction, motion tracking, audio sync, and advanced text tools. Stock footage, music, sound effects, and beautifully-designed templates are available for Mac video editing as well, but the free version includes a very limited amount.

Bottom Line

HitFilm is not advanced enough for professionals, but too difficult for beginners. It is perfect for intermediate editors who need affordable VFX video editing software for Mac. We’ve placed it between the two Adobe offerings on our list because it offers more advanced features than Premiere Elements but is not the same professional caliber as Premiere Pro. 

10. Adobe Premiere Elements - Best for Beginners

Compatibility: Mac, Windows

TechRadar Rating: 3.5/5

Beginner-Friendly Tools: 4/5

Price: $99.99

Key Features:

• A decent selection of effects
• Smart functionality
• Video stabilization options

Who It’s For

Premiere Elements is Adobe’s basic video editing software for Mac. Users who are new to Mac video editing or are looking to edit videos for fun will find the interface easy to navigate with all of the necessary features. 

Why We Picked It 

The program’s AI tools will walk you through some of the steps of the Mac video editing process. You can make quick fixes or add effects, transitions, and animations with Guided Edits. Or create slideshows and video collages for social media with this video editing software for Mac.

Bottom Line

Adobe Premiere Elements is the most basic of the paid video editing software for Mac on this list and doesn’t give a user much room to grow. But it does have Smart Tags, facial recognition, and more for easy organization, making it ideal for home movies.

11. Lightworks - Best for Intermediate Users

Compatibility: Mac, Windows, Linux

G2 Rating: 3.5/5

Beginner-Friendly Tools: 3.5/5

Price: Free
*Premium subscriptions available for $9.99/month for Create and $23.99/month for Pro

Key Features:

• Stereoscopic 3D sound
• Advanced trimming
• Pre-built motion graphics

Who It’s For

Lightworks is one of the best video editing software for Mac for intermediate users. It is the easiest to use out of the “professional” level Mac video editors, however, those with no Mac video editing experience will have trouble with the lack of guidance available. The program is very versatile, however, with a Pro version that has been used to edit Hollywood films, a Create version perfect for YouTubers and intermediate editors, and a free version for anyone who just needs to edit videos by cutting clips together.

Why We Picked It 

This Mac video editor offers incredible format support and allows you to mix and match different formats on the same timeline. It also has a highly capable free version with multi-cam support, color correction, transitions, and sophisticated audio editing tools. 

Bottom Line

In our updated list of the best video editing software for Mac in 2023, Lightworks rose above Kapwing because we found it to be much more versatile. There’s a version of Lightworks for every skill level and budget. However, we like this video editing software for Mac best for mid-range users. Anyone familiar with track-based timelines and a bin structure will pick it up easily, but first-time editors should try another software for Mac video editing. We recommend PowerDirector for first-time users because it is easy to use, provides lots of support and guidance, and, like Lightworks, can grow with them as their skill-level changes. 

12. Kapwing - Best for Templates

Compatibility: Web Browser

ProductHunt Rating: 3.5/5

Beginner-Friendly Tools: 3.5/5

Price: Free
*Premium subscription available for $16/month

Key Features:

• Collaboration features
• Automatic subtitle generator
• Screen recorder

Who It’s For

Kapwing is an online tool for Mac video editing. It is one of the best video editing software for Macs for busy influencers and beginners. Quickly make videos for Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Twitch, and TikTok with easily customizable templates. There are also templates featuring green screen effects, intros, outros, memes, collages, and many more. Influencers can edit a video for one outlet, then use Kapwing’s instant Resize tool to repurpose it for every platform.

Why We Picked It 

There’s a template for any possible video need, as well as some basic Mac video editing tools, such as splice, trim, transitions, overlays, and stock assets like music and sound effects. This video editing software for Mac has all the tools you need to make a short TikTok or Reel. 

Bottom Line

This Mac video editor is a great tool for creators to edit videos for social media quickly, and with little editing experience. We do not recommend Kapwing for advanced users, or long-form videos. WeVideo is very similar to Kapwing in functionality, however, we noticed in our research that Kapwing has terrible customer service, while WeVideo’s customer service record is exemplary.

13. DaVinci Resolve - Best for Color Correction and Audio

Compatibility: Mac, Windows, Linux

Creative Bloq Rating: 4.5/5

Beginner-Friendly Tools: 2/5

Price: Free
*DaVinci Resolve Studio available for $295

Key Features:

• Multi-User collaboration options
• Cross-Platform capabilities
• Fusion editing modules

Who It’s For

DaVinci Resolve offers incredible high-end features enjoyed by professional editors, and a very capable free version loved by intermediate to advanced-level editing enthusiasts. This is the best video editing software for Mac when it comes to color and audio tools. For example, the program’s detailed AI color matching allows you to adjust skin tones and eye color quickly, and its audio production matches professional audio editing software. 

Why We Picked It 

This Mac video editor features new image processing for the latest wide gamut HDR with HDR grading tools and an AI-based magic mask. In addition, an audio engine for immersive 3D audio workflows supports 2,000 tracks. With hundreds of 2D and 3D tools, this Mac video editor is all you'll ever need to start your post-production studio. 

Bottom Line

DaVinci Resolve has a massive learning curve, that even advanced users can struggle with at first. It also needs some powerful equipment to function. We recommend PowerDirector as the best video editing software for Mac because it offers easy-to-use color and audio tools with much lower system requirements than DaVinci.  

14. OpenShot - Best for Simple Edits

Compatibility: Mac, Windows, Linux

Creative Bloq Rating: 3/5

Beginner-Friendly Tools: 3.5/5

Price: Free

Key Features:

• Drag-and-Drop interface
• Unlimited tracks for layer editing
• 40+ vector title templates

Who It’s For

OpenShot is a free and open-source software for Mac video editing. It is one of the best video editing software for Mac for first-time editors who desire simplicity. The clean interface and limited feature set will help beginners get used to Mac video editing without bogging them down with features they don’t need. The interface is fully customizable, and users can choose a bare-bones view that only features the tools they regularly use to edit videos.

Why We Picked It 

OpenShot has everything you need to edit videos, including wide format support for video, audio, and image files. This Mac video editor can manipulate clips in many ways, including scaling, trimming, rotation, alpha, snapping, cropping, and resizing. It also comes with some playful emojis and graphics which can be used to add flair to home videos.

Bottom Line

In our research, it seems most people love to edit videos with OpenShot because it is easy to use and completely free. However, they also complain about the Mac video editor’s limited feature set, which echoed our own feelings. Tools like animated titles and 3D animations are only available if you download other open-source software. If you are a fan of open-source (and free) software but need more Mac video editing features, try Shotcut. 

15. Avid Media Composer - Best for Filmmakers

Compatibility: Mac, Windows

G2 Rating: 4.1/5

Beginner-Friendly Tools: 2/5

Price: Free
*Premium subscriptions available for $23.99/month and $49.99/month for Ultimate

Key Features:

• Bulk edit feature
• Multicam editing
• Time Warp, stabilize, and motion effects

Who It’s For

Avid has been the industry-standard video editor in Hollywood for years, but it has only been in the individual/home editor game since around 2018. Even so, no one is using Avid Media Composer to edit videos for TikTok - this is an editing behemoth for feature films, documentaries, and television. There are 3 tiers of video editing software for Mac to choose from: Avid Media Composer First is the free version for aspiring filmmakers, Avid Media Composer is for independent filmmakers and professional editors who work alone, and Avid Media Composer Ultimate is for collaborative Mac video editing.

Why We Picked It 

Avid Media Composer is editing software for editors. It has innovative tools to help speed up the editing process, such as relinking to digital files that may have changed paths, sequence templates, and excellent video organizational tools. This video editing software for Mac has tools like ScriptSync and Phrase Find that will quickly find you any line of dialogue in your footage.  

Bottom Line

This is one of the best video editing software for Mac, period. However, with that title comes a very steep learning curve and a high price tag. And while Avid Media Composer used to be alone at the top, it’s now struggling to keep up in the private sector with Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut, and DaVinci Resolve. We recommend the program’s free version for anyone desperately wanting to learn Avid, but DaVinci Resolve has a more robust free version for aspiring pros. 

Best Video Editing Software for Mac Comparison Chart

How to Edit a Video on Mac

Here is a step-by-step look at how to edit a video with the best video editing software for Mac, PowerDirector. 

Download PowerDirector by clicking the link below and follow along. 

1. Open PowerDirector and select Full Mode when prompted.
2. Import your videos into PowerDirector. 
3. Select a video and drag it to the Video Timeline.

4. Select Save Project from the File Menu to save your video.  

Remember to save as you go along, especially after big edits. 

Now that you have started a project, we will show you how to Trim and Split clips, add Transitions, Text, and Music, and Produce your video. 

How to Trim a Clip

Trimming cuts off parts at the beginning or end of a clip. 

1. Click on a video clip and then drag the sliders to mark your in and out positions at the beginning and end of your video, then click OK. Everything outside of your sliders will be deleted.

You can now add the next video clip by dragging it behind the first clip on the timeline. 

How to Split a Clip

Split a clip in two so you can add another clip in the middle, or so you can trim parts of the clip that aren’t at the beginning or end. 

1. Move the slider where you want to split the clip, then click the Split icon (cutter icon).

2. Select the portion that you don’t want and click Delete on your keyboard to remove it. 
3. Select the Remove and Fill Gap option when prompted so that the video clip fills in the space on the video timeline. Or drag and drop another clip in between. 

How to Add Transitions Between Clips

1. Open the Transition Room (lightning bolt icon) from the menu on the left. 
2. Find a transition you like, then click and drag it between two video clips.

How to Add Text

1. Open the Title Room (letter T icon) from the vertical menu on the left. 
2. Find the font you like, then click and drag it to the Title Track on the video timeline.

3. Select the added title template and click the Designer button above the timeline.

4. Type your text and customize it with the options provided in the Title Designer.

5. Click OK to save your changes.

How to Add Music

1. Go to Media Content and choose Background Music from the drop-down menu.
2. Find a track you like, then hit the Download button in the center. 

3. When your track has finished downloading, drag it to the Music Track on the video timeline.

How to Produce Your Video

1. Click on the Produce tab to export your video.
2. Click the Standard 2D tab and select your preferred video format. 

3. Select an Output Folder. This is where the new video file will be saved.
4. Click the Start button to render and save the file.

For more information on Mac video editing with PowerDirector, click here. 

Download the Best Video Editing Software for Mac for Free

All of the above software include the basic features you’ll need for Mac video editing. Most fall into one of 2 categories: professional software with a steep learning curve, or beginner-friendly software that lacks advanced features. 

We recommend PowerDirector 365 as the best video editing software for Mac. It comes with advanced features used by professionals to edit videos but remains beginner-friendly. Hobbyists can create high-quality content for YouTube, TikTok, Twitch, conferences, school projects, or family events, and look like they hired a professional to edit videos for them.  

Click the button below to download PowerDirector 365 today and begin your Mac video editing journey.